by Allan Schott, for RUS America

RUS America and Friends of MarylandStandardbreds (FOMS) will be at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Md.,on Thursday (Sept. 1 ) at a joint booth in My Maryland Horse Land from12:00 noon until 5 p.m. when the Standardbred Makeover competition begins. Followingthe Makeover, a demo of Racing Under Saddle (RUS) begins starting at 6:00 p.m.

Spectators visiting the RUS America/FOMS booth will have anopportunity to say hello to Meg, a star Standardbred who will have her ownstall under the Horse Land tent. Meg will be welcoming her guests alongwith her owner Barbara Mandich.

Learn more about Standardbreds and theirversatility in picking up second careers as well as RUS. Visitors willalso have an opportunity to sign-up for a RUS Seminar to be conducted this fall(date/time TBD) in Md.

Starting at 5 :00 p.m., the action moves to the show ring where theStandardbred Makeover, presented by Horse Lovers United will have threetrainers competing for $1,500 in prize money with the winner presenting theirStandardbred charge best in their new non-racing discipline.

Upon the conclusion of the Makeover, approximately, 6:00 p.m., aRUS demonstration conducted by riders Maria Buchanan andStephanie Jacobs will occur. Buchanan and Jacobs will demonstrate the technique forriding a Standardbred in a race, as well as the versatility of the breed. They will show their ability to race under a rider, in addition to racing hooked to asulky.

So if you attend the Maryland State Fair, Horse Land is theplace to be on Thursday.